The world above
This fic is set a year before the events at the start of Ariel's Beginning, the girls are eleven years younger then in their profiles.
Dedication
To my Mum Margaret for always being there for me when I need her, not matter how minor the problem. I can identify a lot with Ariel and I can see a lot of my Mum in Athena.
Travels through the Kingdom
"GIRLS TIME TO GO" Queen Athena called, as a servant loaded the last of the bags onto the dolphin drawn chariot.
Within moments she was joined by her daughters and husband Triton, all swimming out of the palace garden.
"All packed?" asked Triton kissing his wife.
"Yes and all loaded into the chariot."
"Honestly Athena, do you really need all that? You are only going away for two weeks not two months!"
"We do yes. You forget that seven little mermaids have many toys, and there are my own things."
"I suppose you are right, I just wish I could come with all. Trust the monthly meeting with my Earls to be the next two weeks, of all the rotten timing."
"I wish you could come to, but these meetings are important. You have to make sure those that rule on your behalf are doing their jobs properly."
"I know my love. Ours is a large Kingdom, so we do rely on the Earls to administer our rule at a local level. I am just sorry I will miss your Fathers birthday though, pity your family decided to move away from Atlantica."
"I wish they had stayed within the city, but you know how Mother and Father wanted a peaceful retirement" Athena replied, as the girls settled down in the chariot.
"I do and they certainly got that, White Sand Village is much quieter then here."
"It is. We had better set off, I promised Mother we would be there for about two. I will see you in a couple of weeks" Athena replied, kissing Triton.
"Bye Daddy" the girls called, as Athena motioned the dolphins to go.
"Goodbye and have fun" Triton called, waving to the girls.
As the chariot went through Atlantica, those on the streets waved and the girls waved back. Once out of the city the girls looked around them with curiosity. Passing through villages the girls saw more of life outside the city.
"Look sea lions" Arista called, pointing to a group of sea lions playing above them.
"Cute, I like them" Ariel said.
"So do I, wish I could swim with them" Arista replied.
"Girls keep it down back there, I need to concentrate" Athena called, glancing back.
"Yes Mummy" the girls replied, as Athena turned off right at a major trail point.
Looking out the girls gazed at the vast array of chariots and other modes of transport that were on the trial. Too their right were a group of teenage mermaids and boys all riding dolphins and chatting happily. Then Andrina screamed, as a black chariot drawn by two Great White sharks pulled up next to them. Hearing the scream Athena looked back and saw the chariot.
"Girls it is alright, they will not harm you. They may look scary, but their owner will have them under control."
"But they have big teeth Mummy" Andrina replied.
"I know, soon we will be away from them" Athena replied, as she turned left, leaving the sharks behind.
A couple of hours later they arrived at White Sand Village, named because of the sand on the sea bed was white. Just outside the village they came to a large house with a large garden. There waiting for them was a merman with black/grey hair with a green tail. Next to him was a mermaid with brown hair and a purple tail.
"Athena" the merman called, swimming up hugging her.
"It is wonderful to see you Father, the flowers look lovely."
"And I am glad to see you, all of you in fact, by you girls have grown" he replied, lifting Adella out of the chariot.
"They have indeed, it is wonderful to have you all here" said the mermaid.
"I've missed you Mother, still not going grey yet" Athena teased hugging her mother.
"I am but I'll have mine dyed. Unlike your Father, I do not want my grey to show."
"I am not a glamour catfish like you Eirênê" said Athena's Father.
"I know Uaithne (Irish meaning green) you prefer gardening. Now then, we have dallied enough out here, come on in, you must be famished after such a long journeying" Eirênê said, leading the group inside.
Sitting down in the large dinning room Athena and the girls told the pair of life in Atlantica, and in return were told stories of village life.
That afternoon the girls played fin ball in the garden while Uaithne tended to his flowers. Suddenly Alana's terrible aim sent the ball through his shed widow, breaking three flower pots.
"Honestly Alana you have your Grandma's poor aim" he said, looking at the damage.
"Sorry it was an accident" Alana said.
"I know it was and I'm not blaming you, accidents happen with balls. Never mind sweetie, those pots had been taking up space. My sister bought them for me last Yule and I never did like. Hated them in fact, but could never find a polite way of getting rid of them, seems you have solved that problem for me."
"Are you still going on about those pots" Eirênê said as she swam out. "Oh dear, have we had a breakage?"
"Alana just sent the ball through the window, hit those lovely pots my sister sent me" Uaithne replied showing her the pots.
"Well then, it was a stroke of luck. Those dratted things had been taking up space. I've come to tell you I am starting dinner and it will be ready in an hour, you eight had better get washed" she said, looking at the sand covered group.
An hour later and all were eating Eirênê's delicious cooking and chatting happily. After the girls had gone to bed that night, Uaithne opened a bottle of wine, and he, Athena, and Eirênê chatted along into the night.